Indicating communications components via illumination

ABSTRACT

A cable connection system ( 100, 200, 300 ) includes a coupling housing ( 110, 210, 310 ) defining at least a first port ( 112, 212, 312 ); a printed circuit board ( 120, 220, 320 ) coupled to the coupling housing; and a communications component ( 130, 230, 330, 360, 400, 500, 550 ) sized to be received at the first port of the coupling housing. The printed circuit board ( 120, 220, 320 ) includes a light source ( 125, 225, 325 ). At least an indication section ( 135, 235, 335, 365, 450, 515 ) of the communications component ( 130, 230, 330, 360, 400, 500, 550 ) includes (e.g., is formed from or is coated with) a light transmissible material. The indication section ( 135, 235, 335, 365, 450, 515 ) is aligned with the light source ( 125, 225, 325 ) when the communications component ( 130, 230, 330, 360 ) is received at the first port of the coupling housing so that light emitted from the light source ( 125, 225, 325 ) illuminates the indication section of the communications component ( 130, 230, 330, 360, 400, 500 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/670,474, filed Jul. 11, 2012, and titled “RFID Visual Indicator in aPhysical Layer Management System;” and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/727,343, filed Nov. 16, 2012, and titled “Indicating CommunicationsComponents via Illumination,” the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Communications services (e.g., fiber optic connectivity and service;copper connectivity and service) are being extended to more and morecustomers, both commercial and residential. With the increase in use ofcopper and fiber cables in the communications industry, it is desirableto provide devices with increased termination density. By density, it ismeant the number of locations per unit volume or unit area for providingconnection on a particular communications device.

With the increased density of communications connections intelecommunications devices, quick identification of the individualconnection ports, e.g., for service or for other purposes, presents achallenge, especially in low-light environments. A system for quickidentification of the individual ports in a high density distributionenvironment is desirable.

SUMMARY

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a cable connection systemincludes a coupling housing defining at least a first port; a printedcircuit board coupled to the coupling housing; and a communicationscomponent sized to be received at the first port of the couplinghousing. The printed circuit board includes a light source. At least anindication section of the communications component is formed of orcoated with a light transmissible material. The indication section isaligned with the light source when the communications component isreceived at the first port of the coupling housing so that light emittedfrom the light source illuminates the indication section of thecommunications component.

In some implementations, the communications component includes a plugconnector configured to be received at the first port of the couplinghousing. In an example, the indication section includes a boot of theplug connector. In another example, the indication section includes amain body of the plug connector. In other examples, the communicationscomponent includes a dust cap configured to be received at the firstport of the coupling housing. In an example, the dust cap is fullyformed of the light transmissible material.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a plug connectorarrangement includes a connector body configured to hold a terminatedend of a communications media; and an indication attachment membercoupled to the connector body. The indication attachment member isformed of or coated with a light transmissible material that isconfigured to illuminate when light is shown on the indicationattachment member. In certain implementations, the connector bodydefines a recessed portion and the indication attachment member isconfigured to fit over the recessed portion. In certain implementations,the indication attachment member is configured to latch to the connectorbody. In certain implementations, the indication attachment memberincludes a first portion that encircles a first end of the connectorbody and a second portion that extends a distance along a length of theconnector body from the first portion.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a couplerarrangement includes a coupling housing, a printed circuit board, and alight source. The coupling housing defines at least a first port andincludes a first side having an interior surface defining a recessadjacent the first port. The printed circuit board is embedded withinthe first side of the coupling housing between the interior surface andan exterior surface of the first side. The light source is coupled tothe printed circuit board and aligned with the recess defined in theinterior surface of the first side of the coupling housing. The lightsource is configured to emit light through the recess.

In some implementations, the coupling housing includes an opticaladapter. In other implementations, the coupling housing includes asocket in which electrical contacts are disposed.

In some implementations, the printed circuit board is embedded withinthe coupling housing. In other implementations, the coupling housing ismounted to the printed circuit board, which extends beyond the firstport of the coupling housing. In an example, light source is mounted toa top surface of the printed circuit board. In another example, thelight source is mounted within a recess defined in the printed circuitboard. In another example, the light source is bottom-mounted to theprinted circuit board, which defines an aperture sized to enable theemitted light to reach the indication section of the plug connectorthrough the aperture.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a dust capconfigured to be mounted at a port of a coupling housing includes amounting portion and a cover portion. The mounting portion is sized andconfigured to extend through the port of the coupling housing and tosecure to an interior of the coupling housing. The mounting portionincludes a light transmissible material. The mounting portion includesan enlarged diameter section at the first end. The cover portion iscoupled to the mounting portion. The cover portion includes a lighttransmissible material. The cover portion has a cross-dimension largerthan a cross-dimension of the port so that the cover portion is retainedoutside of the coupling housing when the mounting portion extendsthrough the port.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a method forindicating a dust cap at a coupling housing includes sending a controlsignal to a light source that aligns with an annular side of the dustcap to emit light while maintaining isolation of the light from anycommunications media segments disposed within the coupling housing.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and to combinations of features. It is to be understood thatboth the forgoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosedherein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the description, illustrate several aspects of the presentdisclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a communications systemincluding a cable connection system and a management system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of the connectionsystem of FIG. 1 showing an example plug connector being received at aport of one of the coupling housings;

FIG. 3 illustrates one example implementation of a cable connectionsystem including a light source mounted at a location spaced from anadapter;

FIG. 4 illustrates another example implementation of a cable connectionsystem including a light source mounted to shine within an interior ofan adapter;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example connector housing suitablefor use in the connection system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connector housing of FIG. 5 with anindicator section shown exploded from the rest of the adapter;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example dust cap suitable for use with theconnection system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an example SC connector having anindication component;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the SC connector of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the SC connector of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the SC connector of FIG. 8 with theindication component exploded from a body of the SC connector;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the SC connector body of FIG. 11with the indication component removed from view;

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the indication component of FIG.8;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an example LC connector having anindication component;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the LC connector of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of another example LC connector having anindication component; and

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the LC connector of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In general, a cable connection system includes a coupling housingdefining at least a first port; a light source disposed at the couplinghousing; and a communications component sized to be received at thefirst port of the coupling housing. At least an indication section ofthe communications component includes (e.g., is formed of, is coatedwith, etc.) a light transmissible material. The indication section isaligned with the light source when the communications component isreceived at the first port of the coupling housing so that light emittedfrom the light source illuminates the indication section of thecommunications component. In certain examples, the entire communicationscomponent is formed of the light transmissible material. When thecommunications component is removed from the first port, light from thelight source illuminates an interior of the first port.

In some implementations, the coupling housing includes an opticaladapter (an SC adapter, an LC adapter, an MPO adapter, etc.). In somesuch implementations, the communications component includes an opticalplug connector. In other such implementations, the communicationscomponent includes a dust cap. In other implementations, the couplinghousing includes an electrical socket (e.g., an RJ jack, a USB jack,etc.). In certain implementations, the communications component includesan electrical plug connector. For the sake of convenience, the followingillustrated examples of cable connection systems show optical cableconnection systems. It should be understood that these principles can beapplied to electrical cable connection systems.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a communications systemincluding a cable connection system 100 and a management system 150. Thecable connection system 100 includes one or more coupling housings(e.g., optical adapters, electrical sockets, etc.) 110 that define atleast a first port 112. In certain implementations, each couplinghousing 110 is configured to couple together two or more segments ofcommunications media (e.g., optical fibers, electrical conductors,etc.). Each port 112 is associated with a light source (e.g., lightemitting diode) 125 that can be utilized to indicate the adapter 110,the port 112, and/or the plug connector received thereat.

The light sources 125 may be operatively associated with the couplinghousings 110 via a printed circuit board 120. For example, a lightsource 125 in certain implementations may be coupled to a printedcircuit board 120 to which an coupling housing 110 is coupled withoutbeing coupled directly to the coupling housing 110 (see light source 125a in FIG. 1). In another example, a light source 125 in certainimplementations may be coupled to a printed circuit board 120 and to anexterior of a coupling housing 110 (see light source 125 b in FIG. 1).In another example, a light source 125 in certain implementations may becoupled to an coupling housing 110 so that light emitted by the lightsource 125 enters an interior of the coupling housing 110 (see lightsource 125 c in FIG. 1).

The management system 150 is coupled to the connection system 100 viathe printed circuit board 120. For example, in some implementations, themanagement system 150 can be implemented as a controller or chip mountedto the printed circuit board 120. In other implementations, all or partof the management system 150 can be implemented by equipment coupled tothe printed circuit board and mounted elsewhere. For example, themanagement system 150 can be implemented remotely and communicativelycoupled to the connection system 100 via cables or wireless signals.

The management system 150 includes a processor 152 that implementsoperations 156 stored in a memory 154. Some example operations 156 thatcan be stored in memory 154 include an activate operation, whichilluminates one or more of the light sources 125, and a deactivateoperation, which switches off one or more of the light sources 125.Another example operation 156 that can be stored in memory 154 includesan identify operation, which determines which light source 125 isassociated with a particular coupling housing 110 or port 112. Theprocessor 152 can implement the activate or deactivate operations on theidentified coupling housing 110 or port 112.

In some implementations, the management system 150 includes a userinterface (UI) 158 that enables a user to implement the identifyoperation. For example, the UI 158 may present the user with arepresentation (e.g., graphical, textual, numerical, etc.) of theconnection system 100 and may enable the user to select one of thecoupling housings 110, ports 112, or other components of the connectionsystem 100. The UI 158 also may enable a user to initiate implementationof the activate or deactivate operations on the light source 125associated with the selected component. In other implementations, theprocessor 152 selects the light source 125 to be activated ordeactivated based on an analysis of predetermined factors (e.g., errorconditions).

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of the connectionsystem 100 of FIG. 1 showing an example plug connector 130 beingreceived at a port 112 of one of the coupling housings 110. In someimplementations, the coupling housing 110 is an optical adapter thatmechanically aligns an optical plug connector 130 with another opticalplug connector 130 received at an opposite port. In otherimplementations, the coupling housing 110 is an electrical socket thatmechanically aligns an electrical plug connector 130 with conductivecontacts housing within the socket.

For ease in viewing, the schematic diagram of FIG. 2 shows an examplelight source 125 coupled to an exterior of the coupling housing 110. Inother implementations, however, the light source 125 can be coupled toan interior of the coupling housing 110 or to a printed circuit board120 (FIG. 1) coupled to the coupling housing 110. The plug connector 130being received at the port 112 of the coupling housing 110 terminates asegment 132 of communications media (e.g., an optical fiber, anelectrical conductor, etc.). In some implementations, the plug connector130 includes a main body and a strain-relief boot.

At least a portion of the plug connector 130 is configured to beilluminated by the light source 125. In some implementations, the entireplug connector 130 includes (e.g., is formed of or is coated with) alight transmissible material. In other implementations, the plugconnector 130 includes an indication section 135 that generally alignswith the light source 125 when the plug connector 130 is received at theport 112. The light source 125 is configured to illuminate theindication section 135 to identify or otherwise indicate the plugconnector 130, port 112, and/or coupling housing 110. For example, theindicator section 135 can be formed at least partially of or coatingwith a light transmissible material (e.g., glass, opaque plastic, afluorescent or otherwise luminescent material, etc.). The lighttransmissible material transfers light from a location (e.g., on theindicator section 135) at which the emitted light reaches the indicatorsection 135 to one or more locations (e.g., on the indicator section135) from which a user may discern the light.

In some implementations, the indicator section 135 forms the main bodyof the connector plug arrangement 130 or a portion thereof. In otherimplementations, the indicator section 135 forms the strain-relief bootof the connector plug arrangement 130 or a portion thereof. In certainimplementations, a majority of the indicator section 135 is disposedoutside of the adapter 110 when the connector plug arrangement 130 isreceived at the first port 112. In certain implementations, theindicator section 135 is fully located outside of the adapter 110 whenthe connector plug arrangement 130 is received at the first port 112. Inother implementations, a majority of the indicator section 135 can bedisposed within the adapter port 112.

FIGS. 3-7 illustrate various implementations of connection systemssuitable for connection to the management system 150. For convenience,the connections systems of FIGS. 3-7 are implemented as opticalconnection systems. It should be understood, however, that theprinciples disclosed herein can be applied to electrical connectionsystems.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example implementation of a cable connectionsystem 200. The example cable connection system 200 includes an opticaladapter 210 defining a port 212 at which a connector plug arrangement230 can be received. The opposing port of the adapter 210 is not shownfor clarity. The adapter 210 is associated with a light source 225. Insome implementations, the light source 225 is disposed outside of theadapter 210. In certain implementations, the adapter 210 and the lightsource 225 are each mounted to a printed circuit board 220. For example,in certain implementations, the light source 225 is spaced along theprinted circuit board 220 from the adapter 210.

In some implementations, the printed circuit board 220 can be mounted toa panel, tray, or other surface 240. The adapter 210 can be mounted toan opposite side of the printed circuit board 220 from the panel, tray,or other surface 240. In other implementations, the adapter 210 can bemounted directly to the panel, tray, or other surface 240 and the lightsource 225 can be spaced along the panel, tray, or other surface 240from the adapter 210. For example, the light source 225 can be mountedto a printed circuit board 220 that is mounted to the panel, tray, orother surface 240 at a location spaced from the adapter 210.

The connector plug arrangement 230 includes a main housing 234configured to hold an optical fiber or fiber cable 232 that can becoupled to another optical fiber received at the opposite port. Incertain implementations, the connector plug arrangement 230 alsoincludes a strain-relief boot 236 coupled to the main housing 234 toprovide strain-relief to the optical fiber or cable 232. The connectorplug arrangement 230 may include a holding section 238 at which theoptical fiber or cable 232 may be anchored to the connector 230. Theconnector plug arrangement 230 includes an indicator section 235 thataligns with the light source 225 when the connector plug arrangement 230is received at the first port 212. In certain implementations, thestrain-relief boot 236 includes the indicator section 235. In theexample shown in FIG. 3, the entire strain-relief boot 236 forms theindicator section 235.

The light source 225 is mounted relative to the adapter 210 so thatlight emitted by the light source 225 shines towards the indicatorsection 235 of the connector plug arrangement 230. In the example shownin FIG. 3, the adapter 210 and the light source 225 are mounted to aprinted circuit board 220, which is mounted to a surface 240. In theexample shown, the light source 225 is bottom-mounted to the printedcircuit board 220 and accommodated by a recess 242 defined in thesurface 240. The board 220 defines an aperture 228 through which lightemitted from the light source 225 travels to reach the indicator section235 of the connector plug arrangement 230. In other implementations,however, the light source 225 can be top-mounted or flush-mounted withthe printed circuit board 220.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the adapter 210 is disposed over theprinted circuit board 220 at a first location and the light source 225is mounted to the printed circuit board 220 at a second location spacedfrom the first location. Light emitted by the light source 225 does notenter the interior of the adapter 210. A portion of the strain-reliefboot 236 of the plug connector arrangement 230 aligns with light source225 when the plug connector arrangement 230 is received at the firstport 212 of the adapter 210. Light from the light source 225 illuminatesthe indicator section 235 of the strain-relief boot 236 when activated.The light from the light source 225 does not affect communicationssignals carried over the media segment 232.

In some implementations, the adapter 210 is mounted to the printedcircuit board 220. In other implementations, the adapter 210 and theprinted circuit board 220 are separately mounted to the surface 240 sothat at least part of the board 220 is disposed beneath the adapter 210.Mounting the adapter 210 to the surface instead of to the board 220facilitates removal of the adapter 210 for replacement, cleaning, and/orenhanced access to the ports.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate another example implementation of a cableconnection system 300. The example cable connection system 300 alsoincludes an optical adapter 310, a light source 325, and a connectorplug arrangement 330. The adapter 310 defines a first port 312 forreceiving the connector plug arrangement 330. In some implementations,the light source 325 is configured to emit light into the interior ofthe adapter 310. However, the light source 325 is disposed and orientedto that the light emitted by the light source 325 does not interfere orotherwise affect the communications signals passing over the opticalfibers of the connector plug arrangement 330.

In some implementations, the light source 325 is mounted at an interiorof the adapter 310. In other implementations, however, the light source325 is mounted to a printed circuit board 320 coupled to the adapter310. In certain implementations, a side wall 313 of the adapter 310defines an aperture 315 through which the light from the light source325 shines into the adapter 310. In some such implementations, theprinted circuit board 320 is embedded within a side wall 313 of theadapter 310 (see FIG. 4). In other such implementations, the printedcircuit board 320 extends along an exterior surface of the adapter 310.

The connector plug arrangement 330 includes a main housing 334configured to hold an optical fiber or fiber cable that can be coupledto another optical fiber received at the opposite port. At least aportion of the main housing 334 extends outwardly from the adapter 310when the plug connector arrangement 330 is mounted at the port 312. Incertain implementations, the connector plug arrangement 330 alsoincludes a strain-relief boot 336 coupled to the main housing 334 toprovide strain-relief to the optical fiber or cable. The connector plugarrangement 330 may include a holding section (not shown) at which theoptical fiber or cable may be anchored to the connector 330.

The connector plug arrangement 330 includes an indicator section 335that aligns with the light source 325 when the connector plugarrangement 330 is received at the first port 312. In someimplementations, the indicator section 335 forms part of the mainhousing 334. In certain implementations, the indicator section 335 formsa separate piece part that can be coupled to the main body 334 (see FIG.6). At least a first portion 337 of the indicator section 335 isdisposed outside of the adapter 310 and a second portion 339 of theindicator section 335 is disposed inside of the adapter 310 when theplug connector arrangement 330 is received at the port 312. Lightshining on the first portion 337 of the indicator section 335 istransmitted along the indicator section 335 to the second portion 339 ofthe indicator section 335.

As shown in FIG. 6, the indicator section 335 can include a piece partthat is sized and configured to fit over a mounting section 331 of themain housing 334. In some implementations, the mounting section 331 ofthe main housing 334 can define a reduced cross-dimension relative tothe remainder of the main housing 334. For example, material can beremoved from an exterior surface of the main housing 334 to form arecessed or ablated mounting section 331. The indicator section 335 hasa thickness that enables an exterior surface of the indicator section335 to extend flush with an exterior surface of the main housing 334.

In some implementations, the indicator section 335 can be latched,glued, or otherwise secured to the main housing 334. As shown in FIG. 4,a latching nose 339 a can snap into a depression 333 defined in mountingsection 331 of the housing 334. In certain implementations, the firstportion 337 of the indicator member 335 extends around a perimeter ofthe mounting section 331 and the second portion 339 defines a flangeextending outwardly from the first portion 337. In certainimplementations, the latching nose 339 a is disposed at a distal end ofthe second portion 339 of the indicator section 335.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example dust cap 360 mounted at the first port 312of the adapter 310 of the connection system 300 of FIG. 4. At least aportion of the dust cap 360 includes a light transmissible material sothat the dust cap 360 or portion thereof can be illuminated by the lightsource 325. In the example shown, the entire dust cap 360 is formed ofthe light transmissible material. In other implementations, however,strips or other sections of the dust cap 360 may be formed of or coatedwith the light transmissible material. While the dust cap 360 is shownin use with the connection system of FIG. 4, it should be understood,that the dust cap 360 or similar structure can be utilized with otherconnection systems (e.g., connection system 200 of FIG. 3, electricalconnection systems, etc.).

The dust cap 360 is configured to mount at the port 312 so that a firstportion 362 remains outside of the adapter 310 and a second portion 364extends into the adapter 310. For example, a cover portion 362 of thedust cap 360 may be sized to remain outside of the adapter 310 while amounting portion 364 extends into the port 312. Light emitted from thelight source 325 shines on the second portion 364 and is transmittedalong the dust cap 360 to the first portion 362. Accordingly, the lightsource 325 can be utilized to illuminate the dust cap 360 to indicate oridentify the port 312 or adapter 310 to the user.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the adapter 310 includes an opticalfiber adapter including a ferrule sleeve 316 that is sized andconfigured to receive a ferrule of a plug connector arrangement 330. Theprinted circuit board 320 is embedded in a sidewall of the adapter 310.The second portion 364 of the dust cap 360 is configured to mount overthe ferrule sleeve 316 to mount the dust cap 360 to the port 312. Inother implementations, the dust cap 360 may be latched or otherwisesecured at the adapter port 312. In the example shown, a distal end ofthe second portion 364 of the dust cap 360 includes an enlarged diametersection 366. In certain implementations, the enlarged diameter section366 facilitates reception of the light emitted from the light source 325at the dust cap 360.

FIGS. 8-13 illustrate an example connector plug arrangement 400 havingan indication component 450. The example connector plug arrangement 400includes a body 410 having a front 401, a rear 402, a first side 403, asecond side 404, a top 405, and a bottom 406. A ferrule 412 holding anoptical fiber extends from the front 401 of the body 410. Astrain-relief boot 416 couples to or extends from the rear 402 of thebody 410. The body 410 includes a grip section 414 by which a user cangrasp the plug connector 400 and a connection section 418 at which theplug connector 400 is secured to an optical adapter or other receptacle.

The indication component 450 is mounted to the plug connector body 410.In some implementations, the indication component 450 is mounted toextend towards the rear 402 of the body 410. In certain implementations,the indication component 450 is configured to extend over the boot 416.In other implementations, the indication component 450 is configured toextend over only the body 410. In some implementations, the indicationcomponent 450 extends from an intermediate portion of the body 410 tothe rear 402 of the body 410 (e.g., see FIG. 10).

The indication component 450 extends from a first end 451 to a secondend 452 (FIG. 10). The indication component 450 includes a first section453 at the first end 451, an intermediate section 454, a first arm 455at the second end 452, and a second arm 456 at the second end 452. Inthe example shown, the first and second arms 455, 456 branch off inopposite directions from the intermediate section 454. The first section453 is narrow than the intermediate section 454. Light shown onto thefirst section 453 of the indication component 450 travels from the firstsection, through the intermediate section 454, and along the branch arms455, 456.

In some implementations, the light causes the indication component 450to glow. In certain implementations, the indication component 450 isconfigured so that light is more intensely visible at certain locationsthan from the rest of the indication component 450. In the exampleshown, the light is more intensely visible at the distal end 457 of thefirst branch arm 455, at the distal end 458 of the second branch arm456, and at the intersection 459 of the two arms 455, 456. Accordingly,the light is visible at least from the rear 402 of the plug connector(e.g., via the intersection 459) and from the sides 403, 404 of the plugconnector 400 (e.g., via the arm distal ends 457, 458).

In some implementations, the indication component 450 is formed at leastpartially from a clear or translucent material (e.g., glass, plastic,etc.). The light traveling through the translucent material of theindication component 450 can be white light or colored light. In otherimplementations, the indication component 450 can be formed from amaterial tinted one or more colors, but sufficiently translucent toenable light to travel through the material.

FIGS. 11-13 show how one example indication component 450 can be mountedto one example plug connector 400. The connector body 410 includes aretention arrangement 430 at which the indication component 450 isdisposed. The retention arrangement 430 includes a channel 431 in whichthe first section 453 and intermediate section 454 can seat. Theretention arrangement 430 also includes at least a first bridge 432 thatextends over the channel 431. A portion of the indication component 450extends under the first bridge 432 so that the first bridge 432 holdsthe indication component 450 to the connector body 410.

In certain implementations, the retention arrangement 430 also includesa second bridge 434. In some implementations, the first bridge 432 andthe second bridge 434 extend over the intermediate section 434 of theindication component 450. In other implementations, the first bridge 432extends at least partially over the arms 455, 456 of the indicationcomponent 450. In still other implementations, the second bridge extendsover the first section 453. In certain implementations, the first bridge432 is wider than the second bridge 434.

In some implementations, the retention arrangement 430 includes latchmembers 435 that extend upwardly from the connector body 410. Forexample, one or more latch members 435 can extend upwardly from the top405 of the connector body 410. In certain implementations, the latchmembers 435 define a ramped surface facing towards the rear 402 of theconnector body 410 and an engagement surface facing towards the front401 of the body 410. The indication component 450 includes acorresponding set of latch teeth 460 that extend downwardly from abottom of the indication component 450. The indication component 450also defines notches 462 (FIG. 13) that align with notches 438 definedby the connector body 410. In the example shown, internal surfaces ofthe connector body 410 define the notches 438, which are sized andconfigured to receive notched portions 462 of the branch arms 455, 456of the indication component 450.

To mount the indication component 450 to the connector body 410, thefirst end 451 of the indication component 450 is routed through thefirst and second bridge 432, 434 from the rear 402 of the body 410. Thefirst section 453 and intermediate section 454 of the indicationcomponent 450 are slid along the channel 431 of the connector body 410while the component 450 moves under the bridges 432, 434. As theindication component 450 slides forwardly, the latch teeth 460 of thecomponent 450 cam over the ramped surfaces of the latch members 435until they snap-over the latch members 435 and abut the engagementsurfaces of the latch members 435. Accordingly, the latch members 435lock the indication component 450 to the connector body 410.

FIGS. 14-17 illustrate various implementations of LC connectors havingindication components. An LC connector includes a flexible latch 518that is biased away from the connector. The latch 518 facilitatessecuring the LC connector to an adapter port. In certainimplementations, the LC connector includes a trigger 519 that extendsover part of the latch 518 to facilitate depressing the latch 518. Insome implementations, the body of the LC connector is a single-piecehousing in which a ferrule hub and spring mount. In otherimplementations, the body of the LC connector includes two housingpieces.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show one example LC connector 500 including a body 511,a ferrule hub 526, and a spring 529. The body 511 includes a fronthousing piece 512 and a rear housing piece 513. In the example shown,the latch 518 is disposed on the front housing piece 512 and the trigger519 is disposed on the rear housing piece 513. The ferrule hub 526includes a ferrule 527, a shoulder 533, and a spring mounting section523. The ferrule hub 526 mounts in the front housing piece 512 so that adistal tip 528 of the ferrule 527 extends forwardly through an opening521 in the front housing piece 512. A dust plug 532 can be mounted overthe distal tip 528. The spring 529 seats around the spring mountingsection 523 of the hub 526 so that a first end of the spring 529 abutsthe shoulder 533 of the hub 526.

The rear housing piece 513 attaches to the front housing piece 512 toenclose the spring so that a second end of the spring 529 extendsthrough an opening 522 and abuts an internal shoulder defined in therear housing piece 513. In certain implementations, the front housingpiece 512 defines openings 516 and the rear housing piece 513 defines afront extension 514 having protruding lugs 517 sized to fit in theopenings 516 of the front housing piece 512. A cable retention section531 extends rearwardly from the rear housing piece 513. The cableretention section 531 is configured to facilitate crimping or otherwisesecuring an optical cable to the rear housing piece 513.

In accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, the LC connector 500can include an indication component 515. In some implementations, one ormore parts of the LC connector 500 can be formed of a lighttransmissible material. For example, the rear housing piece 513 can beformed of a light transmissible material and function as the indicationcomponent 515. In such implementations, light from an LED (e.g., mountedwithin an adapter, mounted to a tray circuit board, etc.) can shinetowards and illuminate at least portions of the rear housing piece 513.In other implementations, the front housing piece 512 can be formed of alight transmissible material and function as the indication component515. In still other implementations, a light component, such as lightcomponent 450, can be disposed on the LC connector 500.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate another example rear housing 550 suitable foruse with the LC connector 500. The rear housing 550 includes a main body554 on which the trigger 519 is disposed. A strain-relief boot 556extends rearwardly from the main body 554. An optical cable 580terminated by the LC connector can extend rearwardly through the boot556. The main body 554, trigger 519, and boot 556 form a single piececonfigured to mount to a front LC housing (e.g., the front housing piece512 of the LC connector 500 of FIGS. 14-15).

In some implementations, at least a portion of the rear housing 550 isformed from a light transmissible material. In such implementations,light from an LED (e.g., mounted within an adapter, mounted to a traycircuit board, etc.) can shine towards a bottom of the rear housing 550and illuminate at least portions of the rear housing 550. In an example,main body 554 is formed from a light transmissible material. In anotherexample, the boot 556 is formed from a light transmissible material. Inanother example, the main body 554 and the boot 556 are formed from alight transmissible material.

The above specification and examples provide a complete description ofthe structure, manufacture, and use of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the disclosure, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND CORRESPONDING FEATURES

-   100 cable connection system-   110 coupling housing-   112 first port-   120 printed circuit board-   125 light source-   125 a, 125 b, 125 c example light sources-   130 plug connector-   132 communications media segment-   135 indicator section-   150 management system-   152 processor-   154 memory-   156 operations-   158 user interface-   200 cable connection system-   210 optical adapter-   212 port-   220 printed circuit board-   225 light source-   230 connector plug arrangement-   232 optical fiber or fiber cable-   234 main housing-   235 indicator section-   236 strain-relief boot-   238 holding section-   240 surface-   242 recess-   300 cable connection system-   310 optical adapter-   312 port-   313 side wall-   315 aperture-   316 ferrule sleeve-   320 printed circuit board-   325 light source-   330 connector plug arrangement-   331 mounting section-   333 depression-   334 main housing-   335 indicator section-   336 strain-relief boot-   337 first portion-   339 second portion-   339 a latching nose-   360 dust cap-   362 cover portion-   364 mounting portion-   365 indicator section-   366 enlarged diameter section-   400 connector plug arrangement-   401 front-   402 rear-   403 first side-   404 second side-   405 top-   406 bottom-   410 connector body-   412 ferrule-   414 grip section-   416 boot-   418 connection section-   430 retention arrangement-   431 channel-   432 first bridge-   433 recessed section-   434 second bridge-   435 latch members-   438 notches-   450 indication component-   451 first end-   452 second end-   453 first section-   454 intermediate section-   455 first arm-   456 second arm-   457 distal end of first arm-   458 distal end of second arm-   459 intersection of arms-   460 latch teeth-   462 notches-   500 LC connector-   511 connector body-   512 a front housing piece-   513 a rear housing piece-   514 front extension-   516 openings-   517 lugs-   518 latch-   519 trigger-   521 opening-   526 a ferrule hub-   527 ferrule-   528 distal tip-   529 spring-   531 cable retention section-   532 dust plug-   533 shoulder-   550 rear housing piece-   554 main body-   556 boot

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable connection system comprising: a couplinghousing defining at least a first port; a printed circuit board coupledto the coupling housing, the printed circuit board including a lightsource; and a communications component sized to be received at the firstport of the coupling housing, at least an indication section of thecommunications component including a light transmissible material, theindication section being aligned with the light source when thecommunications component is received at the first port of the couplinghousing so that light emitted from the light source illuminates theindication section of the communications component; wherein thecommunications component includes a plug connector configured to bereceived at the first port of the coupling housing; the indicationsection includes a separate piece mounted to a body of the plugconnector; wherein the indication section includes an indicationcomponent mounted to a body of the plug connector, the indicationcomponent being mounted to extend from an intermediate portion of thebody of the plug connector towards a rear of the body of the plugconnector; wherein the indication component extends from a first end toa second end, the indication component including a first section at thefirst end, an intermediate section, a first arm at the second end, and asecond arm at the second end, the first and second arms branching offfrom the intermediate section in opposite directions, whereby lightshown onto the first section of the indication component travels fromthe first section, through the intermediate section, and along thebranch arms.
 2. The cable connection system of claim 1, wherein thecoupling housing includes an optical adapter, which also defines asecond port axially aligned with the first port.
 3. The cable connectionsystem of claim 1, wherein the coupling housing includes a socket inwhich electrical contacts are disposed, the electrical contacts beingaccessible through the first port.
 4. The cable connection system ofclaim 1, wherein the printed circuit board is embedded within thecoupling housing.
 5. The cable connection system of claim 1, wherein thecoupling housing is mounted to the printed circuit board, the printedcircuit board extending beyond the first port of the coupling housing.6. The cable connection system of claim 1, wherein the light source ismounted to a top surface of the printed circuit board.
 7. The cableconnection system of claim 1, wherein the light source is mounted withina recess defined in the printed circuit board.
 8. The cable connectionsystem of claim 1, wherein the light source is bottom-mounted to theprinted circuit board, which defines an aperture sized to enable theemitted light to reach the indication section of the communicationscomponent-through the aperture.
 9. The cable connection system of claim1, wherein the communications component includes an SC plug connector.10. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the indication component isconfigured to extend over a boot of the plug connector.
 11. The plugconnector of claim 1, wherein the first section is narrower than theintermediate section.
 12. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein theindication component is configured so that the light is more intenselyvisible at a distal end of the first branch arm, at a distal end of thesecond branch arm, and at an intersection of the first and second brancharms.
 13. The plug connector of claim 1, wherein the body of the plugconnector includes a retention arrangement at which the indicationcomponent is disposed, the retention arrangement including a channel inwhich the first section and intermediate section can seat.
 14. A plugconnector for use with a cable connection system including a couplinghousing defining at least a first port and a circuit board coupled tothe coupling housing, the printed circuit board including a lightsource, the plug connector comprising: a plug body holding a terminatedend of an optical fiber, the plug body having a forward end and arearward end; and an indicator member coupled to the plug body, theindicator member being formed of a light transmissible material, theindicator member including a trunk section extending from a first end toa second end, a first branch section extending outwardly from the secondend, and a second branch section extending outwardly from the second endin a different direction from the first branch section, the branchsections extending towards the rearward end of the plug body.
 15. Theplug connector of claim 14, wherein the indicator member includes anarrowed section that extends axially outwardly from the trunk section,the narrowed section being narrower than the trunk section.
 16. The plugconnector of claim 15, wherein the plug body includes a bridge thatextends over the narrowed section of the indicator member.
 17. The plugconnector of claim 16, wherein the bridge is a first bridge, and whereinthe plug body includes a second bridge that extends over the first andsecond branch sections of the indicator member.
 18. The plug connectorof claim 14, wherein the plug body defines a channel in which a portionof the indicator member seats.
 19. The plug connector of claim 18,wherein the plug body defines a bridge extending across the channel sothat the indicator member passes through the channel under the bridge.